Three Britons jailed in Egypt for membership of an outlawed Islamic fundamentalist group left Cairo for the UK today.

Reza Pankhurst and Ian Nisbet, from London, and Maajid Nawaz, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, were jailed for five years in 2004 for attempting to revive the Islamic organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir banned in 1974.

Meter move

THE Folkestone and Dover Water Services firm was today granted the power to install compulsory water meters in a ruling which could affect millions of families. Other companies are now expected to apply for the same powers.

New route

LOW FARE airline easyJet will fly to Africa for the first time when it opens new routes this summer, it was announced today. The no-frills carrier will start daily flights between Gatwick and the Moroccan city of Marrakech on July 4.

14 killed

A CAR bomb exploded in eastern Baghdad today killing 14 people and injuring 33. Earlier three bombs exploded within an hour in Baghdad, killing four civilians and injuring 22.

Bush visit

US President George Bush made a surprise visit to Afghanistan today, flying there secretly to support its fledging government in the face of rising violence from al Qaida and Taliban militants.

Royal guest

THE Queen was in Cardiff today for the opening of the Welsh Assembly's new debating chamber. The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, officially opened the £67m building.

Two shot

TWO stewards were shot during a concert by American rapper Kanye West last night at the NEC Arena, near Solihull, West Midlands.